Dentures That Snap In and Stay In
Implant Overdentures, Secure by Day, Removable by Choice
If your denture slips when you laugh, clicks when you talk, or needs a layer of adhesive before every meal, the problem is not you, and it is not the denture. It is that a denture resting on gums has nothing to hold on to. An implant overdenture is a denture that attaches to two to four implants placed in your jaw, so it stays where it should all day, and you still take it out at night to clean it. At 5 Star Dental Group, Dr. Acuña places the implants, and Dr. Tostado, a prosthodontist, designs and fits the denture that snaps onto them, planned together from your first visit. For many people, it is the middle ground between a conventional denture and a fixed All-on-4 arch: more stable than adhesive alone, removable unlike All-on-4, and less costly than a fixed full arch.
Who This Is For
- Your full denture moves when you eat or laugh, and you’re done with it.
- You’re losing the teeth you have left and want more than a conventional denture, without the cost of a full fixed arch.
- Your lower denture specifically has never really fit, that’s the complaint we hear most, and the easiest one to fix, usually with just two implants.
How It Works
Dr. Acuña places small implants in your jaw, most often two on the lower and four on the upper. Each implant carries a locator attachment. Dr. Tostado designs a denture with matching attachments built into it, so it clicks onto the implants and locks in place. You can still remove it for cleaning, but it will not move while you eat, speak or smile.
If you already have a denture you like, it can sometimes be converted to snap onto implants. If you need a new one, Dr. Tostado makes it in the Tooth Studio, our on-site lab, designed around your face and your bite.
What Happens, Step by Step
- Consultation. A 3D cone beam CT scan, an exam of your current denture and gums, and a conversation about what bothers you most. You leave with a written plan and fee.
- Implant placement. Dr. Acuña places your implants in one appointment using a computer guided surgical guide. Sedation is available. In many cases your existing denture is adjusted so you can keep wearing it while you heal.
- Healing. A few months while the implants fuse to the bone.
- Your new denture. Dr. Tostado delivers your final overdenture and adjusts it until the fit is exact.
Cost and Financing
An implant overdenture costs more than a conventional denture and less than a fixed All-on-4 arch. You will receive the full fee in writing at your consultation. Cherry and CareCredit financing is available, and we file PPO insurance claims on your behalf.
From Our Patients
Stop Thinking About Your Denture
Come in, bring your current denture, and let Dr. Acuña and Dr. Tostado show you what two implants would change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an implant overdenture and All-on-4?
An overdenture snaps onto implants and you remove it at night to clean it. All-on-4 teeth are fixed in place and are cleaned in your mouth like natural teeth. Overdentures use fewer implants and cost less; All-on-4 feels closest to natural teeth. Your consultation covers both so you can choose with the facts.
How many implants do I need for a snap-in denture?
Usually two for a lower denture and four for an upper. Dr. Acuña confirms the number from your 3D scan.
Can my current denture be made to snap onto implants?
Sometimes. If it fits well and is in good condition, attachments can be added to it. If not, Dr. Tostado makes a new one in our lab.
Will I still need denture adhesive?
No. The attachments hold the denture in place. Adhesive is what most patients are happiest to give up.
How long does it take?
Implant placement is one appointment. The final overdenture is usually delivered three to four months later, after the implants have healed. You have a denture to wear the entire time.